Did you know? The entire Rules of Golf and their Decisions can be found here for your reference:

All defined terms are in italics and are listed alphabetically in the Definitions section – see pages 2235 . 1-1 . General The Game of Golf consists of playing a ball with a club from the teeing ground into the hole by a stroke or successive strokes in accordance with the Rules . 1-2 . Exerting Influence on Movement of Ball or Altering Physical Conditions A player must not (i) take an action with the intent to influence the movement of a ball in play or (ii) alter physical conditions with the intent of affecting the playing of a hole. Exceptions: 1. An action expressly permitted or expressly prohibited by another Rule is subject to that other Rule , not Rule 1-2 . 2. An action taken for the sole purpose of caring for the course is not a breach of Rule 1-2 . *PENALTY FOR BREACH OF RULE 1-2 : Match play – Loss of hole; Stroke play – Two strokes. *In the case of a serious bre...